Our baby chicks are growing FAST! 🐥🐥🐥
They’re trading fluff for feathers—and it’s wild how different they look.
As their feathers fill in and they get bigger, so do their personalities…
And let me tell you—these little ones are full of spunk.
@lolacabaya I’m on week 4 of raising baby chicks…🥴🐥✨💜 📍 North Carolina #thesmokingprophet #gardeningtok #gardentok #ncgardens #hardlyfarmers #raisingchicks #babychicks #babychicksoftiktok ♬ original sound – Lola Cabaya
Taking Them Outside More & More
The chicks are starting to get restless in their brooder.
They’re ready to stretch their legs, flap their wings, and explore the outdoors.
To keep them happy and less noisy, we take them outside more and more.
The visits are always supervised, just a few minutes, and the temperature is at least 70°F. I think our longest outdoor trip was about 15 minutes.
Supplies We’re Burning Through
Our chicks went through supplies slowly in their first two weeks.
Now that our baby chicks are growing faster, we’re burning through chick supplies quicker…
① Chick feed
We’ve gone through almost two full 5lb bags in the first month. These chicks EAT. But on week four, we switched to buying a 50lb bag—definitely more cost-effective.
② Pine shavings
We finished an entire 8-cubic-foot bag and just cracked open our second in week four.
How I’m (Sorta) Staying Sane 🥴😆
③ Brooder tip
Wish I’d done this sooner—I put cardboard down before adding bedding. It protects the bottom and makes clean-up way easier.
④ Daily routine
Daily chores include spot cleaning, fresh food and water, plus scooping pine shavings from their latest mess.
Problem-Solving: Water & Food Mess
Baby chicks = tiny chaos machines.
They kick bedding into everything—especially food and water.
That’s a problem, because wet pine shavings can lead to mold and sickness.
To fix this:
✅ I ordered a new waterer with retractable legs (it can be elevated or hang).
✅ We placed their feeder on an upside-down ceramic dish.
Both changes keep things cleaner, longer. 🎉🙌🏽 Question: Could I use newspaper instead of pine shavings? Would love tips if you’ve tried this!
Pasty Butt: No Longer an Issue! 🎉
From what I’ve read, most chicks grow out of pasty butt by the end of their first week—typically within 7–10 days of symptoms starting (Source: Purina Mills).
We saw pasty butt from days 3–5—but haven’t had a single case since.
I’m glad we kept an eye on it, because prevention is easier than treatment. 🐥
Future Plans: More Chicks & Security
We’re still working on securing the coop and considering adding 2-4 more chicks. I had my heart set on Lavender Orpingtons, but I missed their selling date—maybe next time!
Funny Chick Mom Moment
Raising chicks is like having a house full of newborns…
I’m so tuned in to their chirps it’s wild.
One night…
I was deliriously tired and thought I heard them chirping in their sleep. I rolled over in bed and told my husband, ‘I hear the chicks.’
He checked—it’s silent.
I insisted, ‘I hear them. My ears are ringing with their chirps.’
My husband checked again.
You guessed it. Nothing…
The only sound was a few coos from our sleeping chicks.
Chick mom brain is real. Turns out I was just exhausted.
So, I guess, the chick sounds really do stick with you!
You May Like This Too
Okay, that’s all for now. If you’re just tuning in, please catch up here ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Raising Baby Chicks: The First Two Weeks
From Surprise Shed to Chicken Coop: My Unexpected Journey Into Raising Chickens
I really appreciate you being part of this journey. Hopefully, our chicks will be living in their coop within the next two weeks. 🎉🙌🏽
Question: What should we name our hen house?
Drop your ideas in the comments!
Also, follow @LolaCabaya on social media for updates and pictures! 📸✨
👋🏽 Hi, I’m LOLA ⸻ the creator of offbeat life advice brand, The Smoking Prophet, owner of a growing content agency, and cultivator of life (family first)!
Most days, you can find me at my desk, in my garden, or on the go. My super-social family keeps me on my toes!
Follow The Smoking Prophet to ignite your creativity, grow spiritually, and blaze your own trail online!
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